Formation of base populations of meat-type chickens. III. Evaluation of male line from reproductive traits

Abstract

This study was carried out at the Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Suínos e Aves (CNPSA) (National Swine and Poultry Research Center) of EMBRAPA, with the objective of testing four commercial strains of meat-type chickens using diallel crosses. There were four male lines, identified by L1, L2, L3 and L4. The characteristics semen volume, fertility, hatchability and birth rate were evaluated. There were no significant differences among crosses from traits evaluated. The specific combining ability and reciprocal effects were significant for all characteristics evaluated except hatchability. Also the effects of general combining ability were observed, except for fertility. The lines that present best results were: L3 for semen volume, L1 for hatchability, L3 for fertility, and birth rate.